Physician groups and American Enterprise Institute authors come out against ACA repeal without a replacement; Hawaii’s 1332 waiver is the first to receive federal approval; and North Carolina’s Governor moves to expand...more
Oregon’s hospitals see improved financial performance following the ACA; CMS denies Indiana’s request for an additional lockout period in the Medicaid expansion program; and a new Manatt Health report details Medicaid funding...more
Oklahoma seeks federal approval for premium assistance program targeted to American Indians/Alaska Natives; Louisiana estimates $100 million in net savings from Medicaid expansion; and Vermont becomes the first state to...more
On October 23, 2015, the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the implementation of preventive care and wellness provisions of the...more
Editor's Overview - It has been a little more than one year since the U.S. Supreme Court altered the legal landscape for litigating ERISA breach of fiduciary duty claims relating to the investment in employer stock...more
Overview - On September 9 Hawaii became the first state to post a draft 1332 waiver proposal for public comment. While Hawaii's waiver proposal is focused on the state's unique 40-year-old employer mandate, the 40-page...more
Ohio’s Medicaid expenditures came in $2 billion below estimates despite enrollment growth after Medicaid expansion; California extends full Medicaid benefits to more pregnant women; and nearly one million have enrolled in...more
Despite guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the Department of Labor (“DOL”) and the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) indicating the prohibition of the practice under the Affordable Care Act...more
This week, a federal Issuer Bulletin describes how issuers in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace will identify their existing enrollees who are switching plans for 2015 coverage. The Exchange Board in New Mexico proposes a...more
Before departing for the 2013 Thanksgiving holiday, the Obama administration released several new regulatory announcements and guidance relating to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new guidance delays...more
Final regulations required for October 1, 2013 open enrollment are largely unchanged from the proposed rule. On August 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the Department of Health and Human...more
On June 14, 2013, HHS released a proposed rule containing many provisions aimed at oversight of federally-facilitated exchanges (FFEs), state health insurance exchanges (State Exchanges), qualified health plan (QHP) issuers,...more
Clearing up the Rumors around Health Reform Delays: What Really Happened, What Won’t and Steps Employers and Insurers Can Take Now - Rumors are flying in health policy circles that the Obama Administration might delay...more
While Congress was in recess, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) surprised many when it changed course on Medicare Advantage payment rates – switching from a 2.3 percent reduction to a 3.3 percent increase,...more
On March 11, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a proposed rule that would amend an earlier final rule related to health insurance exchanges and, more specifically, the Small Business Health...more